Staszek Bridge

Stacha Bridge, also known as the "Giant's Bridge," is a stone structure located in Znamirowice, in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, over Lake Rożnowskie. Built between 1968 and 1971 by Jan Stach using "Siwiec" type sandstone, the bridge stands 13 meters high, spans 20 meters in length, and is 7.5 meters wide. Its architecture is characterized by arched walls, which provide it with the necessary rigidity and strength; beneath the bridge, a small stream flows through a tunnel that is 3 meters high and 2 meters wide, with a barrel-vaulted ceiling. Historically, the bridge was constructed in response to the lack of access to Jan Stach's farm, which had been blocked by a neighbor. Driven by determination, Stach not only built the bridge but also a 500-meter-long road, turning the structure into a local attraction. In 1971, a film titled "I Am Erecting a Monument" was made about Jan Stach and the bridge, and in 2013, the book "Jan Stach – Creator of the Largest Stone Bridge: A True Story" was published. The builder is commemorated with a memorial plaque, and the bridge is located near the Tarnów – Wielki Rogacz hiking trail. Although the bridge is a popular tourist destination, access to it is restricted due to entry bans imposed by the current property owners. Stacha Bridge is not only a testament to the perseverance and skill of a local craftsman but also a historical symbol that attracts tourists and encourages exploration.